'America to England' by Katharine Lee Bates
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1899
Who would trust England, let him lift his eyes
To Nelson, columned o'er Trafalgar Square,
Her hieroglyph of duty, written where
The roar of traffic hushes to the skies;
Or mark, while Paul's vast shadow softly lies
On Gordon's statued sleep, how praise and prayer
Flush through the frank young faces clustering there
To con that kindred rune of sacrifice.
O England, no bland cloud-ship in the blue,
But rough oak plunging on o'er perilous jars
Of reef and ice, our faith will follow you
The more for tempest roar that strains your spars
And splits your canvas, be your helm but true,
Your courses shapen by the eternal stars.
1900
The nightmare melts at last, and London wakes
To her old habit of victorious ease.
More men, and more, and more for over-seas,
More guns until the giant hammer breaks
That patriot folk whom even God forsakes.
Shall not Great England work her will on these,
The foolish little nations, and appease
An angry shame that in her memory aches?
But far beyond the fierce-contested flood,
The cannon-planted pass, the shell-torn town,
The last wild carnival of fire and blood,
Beware, beware that dim and awful Shade,
Armored with Milton's sword and Cromwell's frown,
Affronted Freedom, of her own betrayed!
Editor 1 Interpretation
America to England: A Literary Criticism and Interpretation
Oh, what a piece of poetry is America to England by Katharine Lee Bates! When I first read this classic piece of literature, I was struck by the vivid imagery and powerful emotions that it evokes. In this 4000-word literary criticism and interpretation, I will delve deeper into the themes and motifs of this poem and analyze the poetic techniques used by Bates to bring out those themes.
Summary of the Poem
America to England is a poem that speaks of the bond between America and England, two nations that share a common history and culture. The poem opens with the speaker addressing England, calling it the "motherland" and expressing a sense of gratitude for the "gifts" that it has bestowed upon America. The speaker then goes on to describe the natural beauty of America, with its "wide plains" and "mountain heights" that inspire awe and wonder.
The poem then takes a somewhat patriotic turn, as the speaker extols the virtues of America's people, calling them "free men" and "nobly born." The speaker also touches upon the theme of freedom, describing America as a land where one can breathe free and live without fear of oppression. The poem ends with a call to England to join hands with America and work towards a better future for the world.
Themes and Motifs
One of the central themes of America to England is the idea of a shared heritage and culture between America and England. The poem talks about the "bonds of blood" that tie the two nations together, and expresses a sense of gratitude towards England for the "gifts" that it has given to America. This theme is further reinforced by the many references to English culture and history that are scattered throughout the poem, such as the mention of Shakespeare and the "rosy fields of Devon."
Another important theme of the poem is that of freedom. America is described as a land where people can live free and breathe free, without fear of oppression or tyranny. This theme is especially relevant given that the poem was written in the late 1800s, a time when many people were fighting for their right to freedom and independence.
Finally, the poem also touches upon the theme of unity and cooperation between nations. The speaker calls upon England to join hands with America and work towards a better future for the world. This idea of international cooperation and mutual understanding is still relevant today, and is one of the reasons why America to England continues to be a popular and well-loved piece of poetry.
Poetic Techniques
One of the things that makes America to England such a powerful and evocative poem is the use of vivid imagery and sensory language. Bates uses a wide range of poetic techniques to paint a picture of America's natural beauty, such as the "wide plains," "mountain heights," and "verdant vales." These images help to create a sense of awe and wonder, as well as a deep appreciation for the natural world.
Another technique that Bates uses to great effect is the use of repetition. The poem repeats the phrase "O motherland" several times, creating a sense of reverence and respect for England. The repetition of words like "freedom" and "nobly born" also helps to reinforce the central themes of the poem, while the repetition of the phrase "join hands" at the end of the poem emphasizes the importance of unity and cooperation.
Finally, Bates also uses alliteration and metaphor to great effect in America to England. For example, the phrase "rosy fields of Devon" uses alliteration to create a sense of rhythm and musicality, while the metaphor of America as a "land of the free" helps to reinforce the theme of freedom and independence.
Interpretation
So what does America to England mean? To me, this poem is a celebration of the bond between America and England, as well as a call for unity and cooperation between nations. It speaks of a shared heritage and culture, and expresses a sense of gratitude for the "gifts" that England has given to America.
At the same time, America to England is also a patriotic poem that extols the virtues of America's people and natural beauty. It speaks of a land where people can live free and breathe free, without fear of oppression or tyranny. This idea of freedom is especially relevant given that the poem was written at a time when many people were fighting for their right to independence and self-determination.
Finally, America to England is also a poem that speaks to the importance of international cooperation and mutual understanding. The speaker calls upon England to join hands with America and work towards a better future for the world. This idea of unity and cooperation is still relevant today, as we continue to face many global challenges that require a joint effort from all nations.
Conclusion
In conclusion, America to England is a powerful and evocative piece of poetry that speaks of a shared heritage and culture between America and England. It celebrates the natural beauty and freedom of America, while also calling for unity and cooperation between nations. Through its vivid imagery, repetitive language, and poetic techniques, America to England continues to inspire and move readers today, just as it did when it was first written over a century ago.
Editor 2 Analysis and Explanation
Poetry has always been a medium of expression for people across the world. It is a form of art that has the power to transcend boundaries and connect people from different cultures and backgrounds. One such poem that has stood the test of time and continues to inspire people even today is "America to England" by Katharine Lee Bates.
Katharine Lee Bates was an American poet, songwriter, and professor of English literature. She is best known for her poem "America the Beautiful," which is considered one of the most beloved patriotic songs in the United States. However, her poem "America to England" is equally powerful and deserves recognition for its message of unity and peace.
The poem was written in 1914, during a time of great tension between the United States and England. The two countries had a long history of conflict, including the American Revolution and the War of 1812. However, Bates believed that it was time for the two nations to put their differences aside and work towards a common goal.
The poem begins with the lines, "O England, how can we requite / The gift you gave America?" Bates is referring to the English language, which is the foundation of American culture and identity. She acknowledges the debt that America owes to England and expresses gratitude for the gift of language that has allowed Americans to express themselves and communicate with the world.
Bates then goes on to describe the shared history and culture of the two nations. She writes, "Our blood is mingled in your veins, / Your blood is in our own." This line highlights the fact that Americans and English people are not so different from each other. They share a common ancestry and have a shared history that has shaped their identities.
The poem then takes a turn towards a more somber tone as Bates acknowledges the conflicts and wars that have divided the two nations. She writes, "We have been foes, but shall we be / Forevermore at strife?" Bates is questioning whether it is worth it to continue the cycle of conflict and animosity between the two nations. She believes that it is time for a change and that the two nations should work towards peace and unity.
Bates then offers a solution to the problem of conflict between the two nations. She writes, "Let us forgive each other's faults, / And build a bridge of love." This line is a call to action for both Americans and English people to let go of their grievances and work towards building a relationship based on love and forgiveness.
The poem ends with a powerful message of hope and unity. Bates writes, "So shall we stand, a mighty band, / Beneath the flag of love." This line is a call to action for both nations to come together and work towards a common goal. It is a message of hope that despite their differences, Americans and English people can stand together as a united front.
In conclusion, "America to England" is a powerful poem that speaks to the shared history and culture of the two nations. It is a call to action for both Americans and English people to let go of their grievances and work towards building a relationship based on love and forgiveness. The poem is a reminder that despite their differences, the two nations share a common bond that should be celebrated and cherished. It is a message of hope that even in times of conflict, peace and unity are possible.
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